Tennis

Find out more

• Coaching

  

  Director of Tennis Claire McCulloch and full-time Tennis Coach Euan Bell lead the squad coaching sessions, with a group of qualified student coaches helping to run the recreational programme and social tennis sessions.

  Workforce development

  The University works in partnership with the LTA and Tennis Scotland to help students undertake coaching qualifications during their time at St Andrews. Courses are hosted regularly at the Indoor Tennis Centre, with the University providing mentors for the process and helping students to find work once they are qualified.

  If you are interested in developing your coaching skills and gaining qualifications please email Director of Tennis Claire McCulloch.

  The club currently has 10 qualified student coaches, 5 volunteer assistants, 17 committee members (some of which are the coaches), 7 competition organisers and 1 referee, who provide an additional workforce to help run events and develop competition in the wider district.

  Through the Saints Tennis programme, the club aims to increase awareness of career opportunities in tennis and establish clear areas students can benefit from for their own development. As well as coaching, volunteering and events, the club also focuses on areas including social media, video analysis and S&C.

• Competition

  

  British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) championships

  Saints Tennis currently supports 3 competitive women’s squads and 5 competitive Men’s squads, with over 80 players representing the University in competitive squad programs and accessing a minimum of two training sessions a week.

  

  All teams compete in the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) Championship.

  British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) is the national governing body for higher education sport in the UK.

  Each squad competes on a weekly basis throughout term time in the tiered BUCS league structure and BUCS knockout competitions, contributing to the University’s overall standing in the BUCS points table:

  • Women’s performance squad competes in BUCS Premier North and finished a record 3rd in the league in the 2021-22 season.
  • Men’s performance squad competes in BUCS Scottish Tier 1.
  • Women’s 2s and 3s compete in BUCS Scottish Tier 1.
  • Mens 2s and 3s compete in BUCS Scottish Tier 2 and 3.
  • Mens 4s and 5s both compete in BUCS Scottish Tier 5.

  

  Top players within the performance squads have the opportunity to enter BUCS Individual qualifying events.

  Scottish Student Sport (SSS)

  Saints Tennis is represented in the annual SSS Mixed Doubles Championships and SSS Individual Championships, with players from St Andrews having secured gold medals from both events for the previous two years.

  Additional opportunities to compete

  Saints Tennis supports players to enter LTA and Tennis Scotland sanctioned events and hosts a range of internal and friendly competitions throughout the year, including weekly match play sessions, box leagues and doubles friendly’s with the local club. The club also hosts two club championships for recreational players and squad members.

• Recreational tennis

  Saints Tennis offers a fantastic recreational programme for those new to the game, or those not competing for the University.

  LEARN TO PLAY – Our “Learn to Play” members, have access to coaching from beginner level all the way to our advanced squads. Group coaching takes the form of one-hour classes, twice a week led by LTA certified coaches from within the student club. The popularity of the Learn to Play programme has led to a dedicated position being introduced on the club committee to manage the administration and organisation of these squads.

  JUST PLAY – Our “Just Play” sessions run twice a week (2hr sessions) and are supervised by club committee members, ensuring everyone has a chance to play. Open to all members of the club, the sessions offer a great opportunity for players of all levels to interact and mix with each other in a fun and sociable setting.

  CARDIO TENNIS – The Tennis Club runs a dedicated cardio tennis class on Tuesday evenings just for members. Spaces are limited to just 16 people per class, and weekly sign ups are often oversubscribed.

  MATCH PLAY SESSIONS – Learn to Play members have the chance to participate in a 3hr open match play session every Saturday, allowing all players to experience some fun competition.

• Facilities

  

  Performance Centre

  Following a multi-million pound redevelopment of the Performance Centre, students at St Andrews have access to some of the best sports facilities in Scotland.

  Saints Sport offers a wide range of indoor and outdoor sports facilities, which are available all year round.

  Indoor facilities

  • dedicated performance suite
  • modern, spacious gym
  • exercise studio
  • four-court sports hall
  • new technical climbing wall
  • eight-court arena
  • four-court indoor tennis centre

  Outdoor facilities

  • 13 grass pitches
  • full-size floodlit 3G synthetic pitch
  • sand-dressed synthetic pitch
  • four tennis courts
  • athletics track
  • additional multi-sport grass pitches
  • multi-sport courts

  

  Indoor Tennis Centre

  With the opening of the four-court indoor tennis centre in March 2018, the University of St Andrews became only the second university in Scotland to invest in indoor courts, and along with the four outdoor courts, now offers students a world-class tennis experience.

  Jointly funded by the University, sportScotland, Tennis Scotland, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), a private donor and the St Andrews alumni community, the centre allows the University to achieve its aim of running a comprehensive and inclusive tennis programme that caters for increasing participation, competitive opportunities and coaching for all ages and levels.

  Performance Suite

  Saints Tennis scholars also make use of the top class Performance Suite – a dedicated Strength and Conditioning gym that provides a private space for the performance squad to train undisturbed. Sessions are run by expert Strength and Conditioning accredited coaches who develop tennis specific programmes for our athletes.

• Community engagement

  The club is passionate about developing tennis within the local St Andrews area, and providing more opportunities for students, local children and the wider community to be active and get involved in the game.

  JUNIOR SAINTS: Run by the Saints Sport Sports Development team, we offer weekly coaching and holiday camps at Easter and Summer for primary school children (Red and Orange Ball)

  CARDIO TENNIS: Weekly Cardio Tennis sessions are open to all students, staff and the community and offer a fun group activity for anyone at any playing level looking for a fun way to burn calories and interact with others outside of the gym.

  LOCAL CLUB: Saints Tennis has developed a strong relationship with the local St Andrews Community Tennis Club, offering friendly weekend matches for lower squad members and a “buddy” system linking the best junior players at the club with students for hitting sessions. This develops local talent and gives our students valuable leadership skills.

  CLUB COACHING: Local clubs can benefit from the University’s programme through block coaching sessions, delivered by Tennis Coach Euan Bell.

  TENNIS XPRESS: Saints Tennis now offers adult beginner coaching, delivered in two 6-week blocks throughout the year.

  COUNTY/DISTRICT: Through a partnership with leading coaches in the area, talented players identified within the county and district are given access to the University Tennis Centre, and act as hitters to support our performance player development.

• Events

  The university host a variety of coaching courses, competitions and events.

  You can find all LTA/Tennis Scotland competitions on their website LTA – Tennis for Britain. BUCS and SSS event details can also be found on their websites below: BUCS Tennis and Tennis | Scottish Student Sport

  Coaching Education

  Event	Date	Venue
  Level 2 Coaching Course	25 September 2022	University of St Andrews
  Level 1 Coaching Course	30 October 2022	University of St Andrews

  Tennis Scotland – Competition

  Event	Date	Venue
  TS1000	22/23 October 2022	University of St Andrews
  TS500	4/5 March 2023	University of St Andrews

  BUCS

  Event	Date	Venue
  BUCS Doubles Championships	19/20 November 2022	The Shrewsbury Club
  BUCS Scottish Qualifier	19/20 November 2022	University of Stirling

  Scottish Student Sport

  Event	Date	Venue
  SSS Tennis Championships	24-26 February 2023	University of St Andrews

• How to get involved

  Whether you are new to the sport or an experienced tennis player, already attend the University or if you are thinking about attending, please get in touch to register your interest and find out more about our club.

  Sports Fayre

  The University hosts a Sports Fayre at the beginning of each academic year during Orientation Week, giving prospective players the opportunity to talk to club members and sign up to ‘Give It A Go’ sessions. Members of our committee will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

  Give It A Go

  The Tennis Club hold their Give It A Go taster sessions on the Wednesday of Orientation Week (please check the club’s social media channels and the orientation app for updates nearer the time).

  Trials

  Please join us for club trials and sign-up via the doodle polls to ONE of the 5 slot

  Men’s trials here

  Women’s trials here

  Pre-season training camp

  For any students already playing competitive tennis we urge you to get in touch during the spring/summer so we can determine if you’d be suitable to attend our pre-season training camp. Pre-season training camp generally runs 7-9 days before Orientation Week each year.

  Please email the club to register your interest: [email protected]

  Club Membership

  All matriculated students at the University can join the Tennis Club.

  Please visit the Saints Sport website for a full list of club membership options, prices and information on how to purchase your membership.